All A Classic 1st round 9 a.m. Thursday

5th Region champs Bardstown (14-4) v. 13th Region champs Pineville (19-2)

 

Tigers love to press and get up and down the floor. They are deep and athletic, and have some nice outside shooters. Not real big inside, but they attack the glass with a slew of interchangeable parts between 6-0 and 6-4. Sometimes prone to relaxing and letting teams back in games after building big first-half leads.

 

Mountain Lions have a solid inside-outside duo in Day and Strange, and are a veteran team with a veteran coach. Last I saw Pineville they tended to stay more half-court, but I haven't seen them this season. Regardless, I can't imagine they'd want to play into Bardstown's hands, and instead would be best served to play with patience. Bardstown has a tendency to sleep a bit when they don't get their favored tempo.

 

Let's hear it!

Pineville..

 

Love the way these Mountain Lions play, I do think they may be the under dog in this after watching Bardstown play earlier in the year, but hey...Strange will lead this team to victory...Go Lions!

I am pulling for Pineville, but I think Bardstown's quickness is something that will surprise the Mountain Lions.

Has Pineville played anybody that presses? All the time? How deep to the Mountain Lions go?

Pineville has a solid team, but they have never played in the ALL "A" state. That first game in Richmond can be a hard one to win. Has Bardstown ever played in the ALL "A" state?

It should be a very good game, depending on how Pineville handles Bardstown's pressure. If they can handle the pressure reasonably well they could win the game, if they have 16 or more turnovers they will lose IMO. I am pulling for Pineville so I will say Pineville 58 Bardstown 57. The winner gets a nice prize (a probable game with Paintsville) that will be tough!

Bardstown won the ALL A two years ago and finished second last year. Should be a good game but the 9:00 AM start worries me. Bardstown get plenty of rest and bring your A game this week.

The 9:00am start worries me for all kids. I hated games that were at noon, much less in the a.m. I dont know how great the game will be to watch that early, and I'm sure there wont be much of a crowd.

 

Pineville will not want to get into a running game, but that doesnt mean they cant run with them. They really only play 6 or 7 guys, but have guys that have played together for a while and play team ball. I dont know that Bardstown has someone to match up with Day judging by Jim's description. I would anticipate a good game, with Pineville hopefully pulling it out. I havent seen Bardstown this year, but I know a kid that plays for them, and my cousin plays for Pineville, so I may make the trip.

 

Jim, are you planning on going to the game?

I believe Pineville will slow down the tempo and keep the game in the 50's...Mountain Lions by 5.

Bardstown is too athletic and will run to a 10 to 15 point victory.

The 9:00am start worries me for all kids. I hated games that were at noon, much less in the a.m. I dont know how great the game will be to watch that early, and I'm sure there wont be much of a crowd.

 

Pineville will not want to get into a running game, but that doesnt mean they cant run with them. They really only play 6 or 7 guys, but have guys that have played together for a while and play team ball. I dont know that Bardstown has someone to match up with Day judging by Jim's description. I would anticipate a good game, with Pineville hopefully pulling it out. I havent seen Bardstown this year, but I know a kid that plays for them, and my cousin plays for Pineville, so I may make the trip.

 

Jim, are you planning on going to the game?

 

Heading out later this morning. Hope to see you there. :thumb:

People shouldn't worry about Pineville struggling because of this is their first game in Richmond. They are use to playing in that kind of atmosphere(gym). In the past 3 years I know of two times they played in a preseason game at Rupp Arena and they use to play in LMU's Tex Turner Arena when they played J. Frank White Academy. Pineville is a veteran team with experience in big games. I think they are going up today and spending the night so they don't have to track the 2 hour drive to Richmond tommorrow morning. They should be rested up!

 

Hopefully, the Mountain Lions will pull this one out. Good Luck to both teams!

The mountain teams usually do pretty well in the All A state. I think Pineville will give Bardstown a tough one. Bardstown by 3.

Bardstown 60-52.

Bardstown's program has the experience at the ALL "A". Speaking from personal experience if they come focused the early game should not be an issue for either team. Last year Bardstown got off to a rocky start but then rebounded to face us later in the Finals. They are also well coached.